Archive: Jan 2012
NYTimes Declares War on the Future
The NY Times has launched a full on war on education technology—except for when it’s in their own benefit. Yesterday it was Michael Winerup’s hit piece on Pearson. Today they ran another edtech hit piece. This one attacks Idaho chief Tom Luna, a terrific leader with a great reform and innovation agenda.
Review: Top iPad Guide for Teaching Special Needs Students
Brian S. Friedlander and Christine Besko-Maughan published "Enhancing Learning & Communication for Students With Special Needs," a six-page reference guide to using the iPad for reading, writing, science, social studies, math and more. This is an excellent personal digital learning guide for any educator who is working with students who have learning disabilities, ADD or ADHD, communication impairments, autism spectrum disorders, speech or language delays, or cognitive difficulties.
Women Rising: Five Predictions for Women in the 2012 Workplace
Women now influence more than 25% of the U.S. GDP and hold nearly 48% of all jobs. Without women, the U.S. economy would be 25% smaller than it is today. These encouraging facts come from a new book by Dr. Tracey Wilen-Daugenti, Society 3.0: How Technology Is Reshaping Education, Work, and Society.
Infographic: Consequences of Teaching to the Test
Learning today has become highly standardized. We ask students to reach a learning standard and test it with statewide tests that identify whether we successfully taught them what they needed to know to clear the bar. Yet, are we only teaching students to pass a standardized test? Best Masters in Education published some compelling data recently that makes us think twice about "teaching to the test."
Online PE: Not Just a Virtual Workout
More than one in three American children are currently overweight or obese. These astounding statistics have been screaming the need for change for many years now. Online learning has provided solutions in academic arenas, but can it help our children’s health as well. Let’s enter the online world of physical education (PE).
10 Tips for Kindle in the Classroom
I have been using a Kindle eReader for some time now and really enjoy the convenience and ease of use of these dedicated devices. When I travel to schools, I see more and more schools pilot eReaders in the classroom, especially for students who struggle or who are unmotivated to read. For many students who struggle in reading many are now more inspired to read books on an eReader device as compared to a traditional book. Here are 10 tips for using Kindles in the classroom that I know you will find helpful.
Blending Math Games Gets Big Results in Big Trials
MIND Research Institute, an southern California nonprofit, developed an innovative way to teach math—and it works. Trials involving almost 60,000 students indicate that it typically doubles math gains. They use visual games that all involve moving a penguin named Jiji across the screen. It’s all done without a word of instruction. The visual approach works for visual learners, students new to English, or students experiencing reading difficulties—in other words, it works for most kids.
SmartTech Roundup: 2012 Predictions & Digital Reading
Wow, what a year: Google got social, Netflix screwed up, Kindle lit a fire, and Steve Jobs left us. Murdoch bought Wireless, Pearson bought Connections, America's Choice, and China-based Global Education and Technology. Venture and M&A activity doubled (deal & dollars) from 2009 to 2011. Now that we’ve wrapped up 2011, experts are looking to the horizon of 2012 with new predictions for what will shape the next year. See highlights of digital reading and eReaders.
Lesson Plans for Time Management
Whether you are a business executive, teacher, parent, recent college degree graduate, or if you fill any combination of these daily roles, it’s likely that every minute of your day counts and any spare time is valuable. So how can you use your time wisely?
Science Worth Reading in the New Year
Lisa Randall, a Professor of Physics at Harvard, was Fareed Zakaria’s GPS this morning talking about her new book Knocking on Heaven’s Door. Fareed also interviewed Daniel Kaheman, author of Thinking, Fast and Slow. We added a few more recommendations for great science reading in 2012. What's on your reading list?